Effects of Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms on Conflict Resolution in Migori-Narok Border, Kenya
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Date
2021
Authors
Mach Era, Martin Caleb
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Migori-Narok border remains one of the several volatile regions which have continued to
experience persistent conflicts for decades. The conflicts have been all times tense that
lives have been lost, property destroyed and close to one thousand people displaced. The
effects of ADR mechanisms and how it has been used on conflict resolution is well
documented in countries such as South Africa, Nigeria, and Canada among others. In
Kenya, ADR mechanisms have been used by the Meru‟s Njuri Ncheke and the Kikuyu‟s
Council of elders. However, there is limited data on its effects and how it has been used
on conflict resolution in the Migori-Narok border. The purpose of the study was to
examine the effects of ADR mechanisms in resolving recurring conflicts along the
Migori-Narok border. The specific objectives of this study were: (i) to assess the effects
of ADR methods used on conflict resolution in Migori-Narok border, (ii) to investigate
the effects of ADR principles on conflict resolution in Migori-Narok border, and (iii) to
examine the effects of acceptability of ADR mechanisms on conflict resolution in
Migori-Narok border. The researcher adopted a descriptive survey design. The study is
anchored on the theory of conflict transformation. The targeted population was 9,775
residents of the area around the Migori-Narok border. It employed both random and
purposive sampling to sample 384 respondents. Both qualitative and quantitative
approaches were used to collect data. Participatory action research using focus group
discussion, community dialogue, and key informant interviews were used to collect
qualitative data, while self-administered interview questionnaires were used for
quantitative data. Cronbach‟s alpha reliability coefficient was used to test the reliability
of research instruments. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics like
standard deviation, mean, percentages, and inferential statistics, while thematic analysis
was used to analyze qualitative data. The findings revealed that there is a positive and
significant correlation between ADR methods and conflict resolution at r = 0.608 and P =
0.000; is a positive and statistically significant correlation between ADR principles and
conflict resolution at r = 0.044 and P = 0.005; and a positive and statistically significant
correlation between the acceptability of the ADR mechanism and conflict resolution at r
=0.337 and p = 0.000. Therefore, it is recommended that the government should make
more efforts to create awareness about the importance of the communities understanding
ADR methods to avoid taking the legal system approach which is costly and timeconsuming;
ensure that the principles used in the ADR process are well documented and
understood by the parties to a conflict to enhance parties‟ satisfaction, and carry more
civic education to ensure that the residents understand and acknowledge ADR
mechanisms as an important process for solving their disputes.
Description
A Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment for the Degree of Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration of Kenyatta University 2021
Keywords
Alternative Dispute Resolution, Resolution Mechanisms, Conflict Resolution, Migori-Narok Border, Effects of Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms on Conflict Resolution in Migori-Narok Border, Kenya